Almost immediately after they left Blaine’s tower the guards were on them. Puck tried to hold them off, but it was no use. Six against one would only get him killed, so Kurt grabbed his hand and tugged him along. They ran as quickly as their legs would carry them, pushing over guards and noblemen all the same in their attempts at escape.

“Puckerman, what the fuck are you doing!?” One of the other members of the Queen’s personal guard—which was pathetically named the Titans—called after them. “You’re not on their team.”

“Fuck you, Azimo! I’m tired of Quinn’s bullshit!” Puck called over his shoulder as they rounded a corner and ran straight into Finn. Kurt swallowed nervously, worried he had been sent by Quinn to find them out. There was no doubt that a big guy like Finn could easily take over Kurt and Blaine, and with all the guards that were quickly coming it would be easy for them to hold back Puck.

“Puck, where are you going with the Hatter?” He asked, and the group of men let out a collective sigh. They had never been so grateful of the King’s constant oblivious state.

“I’ve been asked to take him and this new prisoner down to the dungeons.” Puck said, firmly grabbing Kurt and Blaine’s arms. “The Queen thinks Alice has been informed of the Hatter’s whereabouts, and this kid was sent to check.”

Finn scrunched up his face and tilted his head to the side as he seemingly thought over the idea before shrugging. “Okay, carry on.”

Puck continued to lead Blaine and Kurt forward by the forearms until Finn had turned the corner, and then they burst into a run again, Kurt and Blaine’s hands intertwining automatically.

They were becoming breathless as they ran down the thousands of steps from the towers. Kurt was the worst of the three, wheezing despite his physical health. He hadn’t had to run this fast or hard since high school, and with the constant fear of being caught and executed on his shoulders he could barely breathe. His grip on Blaine’s hand tightened as he struggled to keep up.

“Puck!” Blaine called. The mohawked boy glanced over his shoulder.

“Kurt.” Blaine said simply and Puck looked over the shorter boy’s shoulder to see the brunette struggling. Puck looked around before spotting a barely-used closet. He pulled on Blaine’s jacket and pushed him and Kurt inside before standing guard by the door.

“Er, Puck?” He heard Blaine ask.

“Let Kurt catch his breath for a bit.” Puck explained, “I’ll make sure nobody comes. Now keep your mouths shut.”

“Kurt, are you okay?” Blaine asked in a hushed tone.

“Yeah… it’s just… it’s all so much to take in and the running on top of it all, I’m just feeling a bit breathless.”

Blaine gazed at him for a moment before pulling him into another hug. He felt Kurt’s arms wrap around him and hold him just as tightly.

“I missed you so much.” Blaine whispered into his hair.

“I missed you too.”

“I waited for you.” He added, hands fisting into Kurt’s shirt.

“I know.” The boy’s voice was even fainter than before. “I know.”

“Why didn’t you come back?”

“Because the more I came here the less I wanted to leave. And I always had to leave. Had to wake up.”

“You still think you’re dreaming.” Blaine said.

There was a pause and then Kurt pulled back, his icy blue eyes staring into Blaine’s hazel ones, “No. I don’t think I am anymore.”

“Good. I don’t want to be a dream. I like being real.”

“I like you being real, too.”

There was a pounding on the door that made them both jump.

“Are you guys ready to go yet?” Puck called.

Kurt sighed, but said yes. He could feel Blaine’s gaze on him. “What?”

“I have an idea, so you don’t get tired.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow, “What’s that?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” Kurt said without hesitation. Blaine stood in front of him and bent forward a bit, looking over his shoulder.

“Get on.”

“What?”

“I’ll carry you.”

Kurt shook his head, “No, Blaine I couldn’t.”

“C’mon Kurt, it’s fine.”

He bit his lip and looked at Blaine once more before getting on his back. “Are you sure I’m not too-“

“I’m fine, Kurt, don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

“Puck, open the door!” Blaine yelled and the door opened. Puck looked at them before laughing, but he said nothing against it. Soon enough the trio was off, running down the long corridors and towards the door to the castle. If they could just make it out everything would be fine. But they had to make it out.

They had just about reached the door to the courtyard when Kurt looked out the window. “Stop!” He shrieked, digging his nails into Blaine’s jacket. Both men skidded to a halt and Puck pulled his sword from his belt, eyes searching. When he saw nothing he spun on Kurt, looking completely furious.

“What!”

“Look outside, Noah!” Both Puck and Blaine looked out the window. Kurt watched as their eyes went wide.

“Shit.” Puck hissed, punching the stone wall. Kurt sighed and got off Blaine when Puck started blowing on his hand.

“You are in idiot.” Kurt stated, but he grabbed Puck’s hand and examined it. “You’re also lucky you didn’t break any bones. Punching a stone wall, really?”

“Shut up, I wasn’t thinking.”

“Obviously.”

“What are we supposed to do now?” Blaine asked, taking off his hat and rubbing at his curls. Out of nowhere he chucked his hat at the wall. Kurt watched at it bounced off before landing on the floor.

“Okay, both of you come here.” He said, and they did. They stood in front of him and Kurt reached out to smack both of them upside the head. “Stop being stupid!”

“Ow!” They both yelled. “What was that for?”

“Getting angry is not going to get us anywhere. You needed a wake up call.”

“And you couldn’t just… tell us that?” Blaine asked, still rubbing the back of his head.

“Oh stop being a baby.” Kurt said with a roll of his eyes before turning to Puck. “Is there any other way out of the castle? Any less known ways?”

“Well… there’s a really scarcely known secret passage out of the kitchen.”

“Is there any possibility of getting past the staff?”

“That depends on if you can get past the head chef or not.”

“How hard it that?”

“If he likes you, it’s easy. Otherwise there’s no chance in hell.”

Kurt sighed. Of course that would be the case. “It’s our only chance.”

Kurt, Blaine and Puck walked into the kitchens to find them empty. The staff, Puck told them, would be on the search for them as well. But he led them to an office and knocked three times. The door opened to reveal an Asian girl dressed in a black Lolita dress and fishnet gloves. Her long, black hair had streaks of blue in it.

“Puckerman?” She asked, “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be looking for-“ She paused when she saw Blaine and Kurt. “Oh.”

“We need to talk to Mike.”

“He’s not going to like this, Noah. You know he tries to stay unknown.”

“Please, Tina? It’s important.” The girl, Tina, nodded and walked into the office. A minute or so later she came back to the door and invited them in. The three walked with her to a room that was located inside the dark office, the door hidden in a bookshelf.

The small room was a lot lighter and friendly than the office, and Kurt immediately felt more comfortable. Sitting at a table set for tea time was an Asian man with short black hair. He had his feet up on the table as he watched them enter.

“What do you want, Noah?” He asked.

“We need to use the passage.”

“Why?”

Puck looked at Kurt, who got the message and stepped forward. “Um, hi.”

“Who’re you?”

“Kurt. Kurt Hummel.”

Mike’s eyes widened as he sat up straight, feet dropping to the floor with a thud. “Alice?” He looked to Puck and then Blaine. “Oh my god, I thought it was a rumour. He’s really back though.”

“Of course he is,” Puck rolled his eyes. “Blaine was in trouble, what did you expect?”

“Good point.” Mike looked at Kurt; staring him up and down. “You’ve grown up, Alice.”

“Well it has-“

“But have you given up on us?”

Kurt stared at the man in front of him. He knew he was supposed to be impressing him, but it was really starting to piss him off; getting asked that by every person he meets.

“Look, I may have thought that this was a dream when I first got here, and I thought it was a dream back then. But I never gave up on Wonderland. This was—is my home. So no, I didn’t fucking give up on you all and I am tired of being accused of doing so. If I would’ve given up I wouldn’t have come back. Or I would’ve given up. I care about this place. I always have and I always will.” Kurt huffed, “Is that a good enough answer?”

Mike smirked and stood, “You truly are Kurt Hummel. Welcome back.”

“I didn’t go anywhere!” Kurt said tiredly. “I’ve always been me.”

“No, Kurt. You lost your muchness. But you’ve got it back now.”

Kurt groaned and dropped down onto one of the chairs. “I give up with you people. You’re all insane.”

“Ah, but Kurt, my dear, you have to be just as mad if you can understand us. I’m afraid you’re long past the point of sanity if you’re still here with us.”

Kurt glared at Blaine, who continued to smile sweetly at him.

“So can we use your passage?” Puck asked. Mike nodded and Kurt felt like a giant weight had been removed from his chest.  Suddenly he felt as if everything would be okay. Mike walked away, leaving the three guys with Tina as he went to check that no one was coming. Kurt unconsciously held his breath, only releasing it when he felt Blaine’s hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Kurt. We’re going to get out.” He whispered into his ear. Kurt simply nodded and bit his lip as they waited.

Mike came back into the room and nodded, gesturing for them to follow him. He led them through the kitchens to another bookshelf, which opened to another room with a single door at the very end. It was padlocked shut.

“Here,” Mike said, handing Kurt a small key. “I trust you not to loose this. And good luck. I believe you’re the only one who can help Wonderland now.”

“Thank you, Mike.” Kurt whispered before turning and following Blaine and Puck down the hall. Kurt felt his heartbeat quicken with each step. They had no idea what could be waiting on the other side of the door. There could be guards, the key could not work and this could be a trap, anything could happen. But that didn’t matter, because this was their only chance. The only hope.

Kurt stepped forward and grabbed Blaine’s hand, squeezing it tightly. Blaine didn’t say anything; he simply squeezed back with just as much pressure. He just showed that he was there, that he would be there no matter what happened. And that was all Kurt needed right now.

They reached the door and Blaine nudged Kurt forward with one last reassuring squeeze of his hand. Kurt stepped up to the door and looked at the little gold key in his hand. He had never felt more nervous than he did at that moment. His heart was pounding against his ribcage and he could hear it drumming in his ears, blocking out all other sounds. His hands shook as he reached forward and placed the key in the lock. It fit. That had to be a good sign, right?

Kurt turned the key and heard the lock click. The door had unlocked. He could feel just a little bit of the tension in the hall lessen, though it was still there as he pushed the door opened. The light from outside blinded them for a moment before they could see.

They were outside. They were safe. There were no guards. Kurt felt his knees go weak as light headedness took over and he fell back. Blaine caught him and the last thing Kurt remembered before passing out was the man’s concerned look.

But it was okay. They had made it to safety. Blaine was safe now.